What are Relative Clauses?

Relative clauses are dependent clauses that modify a noun or pronoun in the main clause. They often provide additional information about the noun, making the sentence more specific and informative. In Italian, relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns, which help connect the main clause and the dependent clause.

Italian Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are the key to forming relative clauses in Italian. They connect the main clause to the dependent clause while also replacing the noun they refer to. The main relative pronouns in Italian are:

• Che (who, which, that)
• Cui (to whom, with whom, for whom, etc.)
• Il quale/la quale/i quali/le quali (who, which, that)

Che

“Che” is the most common and versatile relative pronoun in Italian. It can replace both subjects and objects and can refer to people or things. Here are some examples of “che” in use:

• Il libro che ho comprato ieri è interessante. (The book that I bought yesterday is interesting.)
• La ragazza che ha vinto il premio è mia cugina. (The girl who won the prize is my cousin.)

Cui

“Cui” is used to replace indirect objects or objects of a preposition. It can refer to both people and things. Unlike “che,” “cui” is always preceded by a preposition. Here are some examples of “cui” in use:

• Il paese in cui vivo è molto tranquillo. (The town in which I live is very quiet.)
• La persona a cui ho prestato il libro è mio fratello. (The person to whom I lent the book is my brother.)

Il quale/la quale/i quali/le quali

The pronouns “il quale,” “la quale,” “i quali,” and “le quali” are more formal alternatives to “che” and “cui.” They agree in gender and number with the noun they replace and can refer to both people and things. Here are some examples:

• L’autore del libro, il quale ha vinto un premio, è molto famoso. (The author of the book, who won a prize, is very famous.)
• Le ragazze, le quali studiano italiano, sono mie amiche. (The girls, who are studying Italian, are my friends.)

Types of Relative Clauses in Italian

There are two main types of relative clauses in Italian: restrictive and non-restrictive.

Restrictive Relative Clauses

Restrictive relative clauses provide essential information about the noun they modify, narrowing its meaning. They are not set off by commas. For example:

• Gli studenti che parlano italiano vanno in Italia. (The students who speak Italian are going to Italy.)

Non-Restrictive Relative Clauses

Non-restrictive relative clauses provide additional, non-essential information about the noun they modify. They are set off by commas. For example:

• Il Colosseo, che si trova a Roma, è un’antica arena romana. (The Colosseum, which is located in Rome, is an ancient Roman arena.)

Tips for Using Relative Clauses in Italian

1. Agreement: Ensure that relative pronouns agree in gender and number with the noun they replace.
2. Prepositions: Don’t forget to include the necessary preposition before “cui” and “il quale/la quale/i quali/le quali.”
3. Restrictive vs. Non-restrictive: Use commas to distinguish between restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses.

Mastering relative clauses in Italian grammar will greatly improve your ability to express yourself in the language. With this guide as your foundation, you’ll be able to confidently use relative clauses and create more complex, informative sentences in Italian.